Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street (2014) s01e11 Episode Script

I've lived my whole life
on Normal Street.
There's a lake at one end,
and a forest of shady trees
at the other.
But what lies in between
is anything but normal.
The spotlight
is a funny thing.
From the dark,
the light seems like
it would be a comfort.
But once you're
under the glare,
you realize there's
no place to hide.
Want me to put in
my last name?
You're the only
Stanley I know.
Really? Because
I know, like, three
other Gortimers.
You've got
to get out more.
Casts
are the best.
You're practically
invincible.
There's nothing
you can't do.
Except shower.
Or swim,
do pushups,
play tennis,
or do magic tricks.
The talent show.
I'm-- I'm sorry.
This is my
sleight of hand hand.
My great-great uncle
knew Houdini.
Without Gortimer
there is no act.
All we did
was hand him stuff.
I have a pair
of his old handcuffs.
Now what are we
supposed to do?
There's only two types
of people in the world:
people in the audience
and people on stage.
Guys, I know magic.
We could always
do an act of our own.
I mean, it's just magic.
How hard can it be?
It's really hard.
Not if you're good
at it.
[grunt]
I'm going to starve.
Try doing it while you're
holding a 4-year-old.
Thanks.
Don't worry.
The doctor says
it'll be off in time
for your big birthday.
And Dad's visit?
Yep.
You excited to see him?
Oh, yeah. I've got lots
of fun stuff planned.
Mm-hmm.
But not as much fun
as I have
with my wonderful mother
who is a saint.
Everyone knows it.
You are an incredibly
smart child.
And popular, too.
Oh, looks like
the whole class signed.
Abigail? Uh, I don't
know an Abigail.
Maybe she's new.
We don't have anyone new.
[scratching]
[sigh]
Huh.
Abigail, Abigail, Abigail.
Abigail Arroyo.
You haven't heard
of her, either?
She's supposedly
in our grade.
Are you sure
she didn't move away?
She didn't move.
She's just not here.
She signed my cast
yesterday.
Why didn't you
talk to her then?
Because I didn't
see her sign it.
We're talking about
this cast, right?
The one that's
attached to your arm?
That's the mystery.
Sorry. Wish I could help.
Good luck, though.
Catherine, me,
Stanley, Ranger
Sineal, Mel, Justin, Cody
Erik F., Erik S.,
Eric with a C
andno one.
Or
Abigail.
[slam]
[sigh]
Well, neither of us
know sleight of hand,
so we're obviously not doing
any of Gortimer's tricks.
Yeah, these are useless.
If we can't
do the tricks,
how are we supposed
to do a whole act?
Well, all we need
is one amazing trick
that leaves them
wanting more.
The Mayan Mystery Box.
But we can't just walk on stage
and jump right in the box.
If we're only doing one trick,
we're going
to have to really sell it.
I'm listening.
A magic show is 10% magic
and 90% show. And what
makes for a great show?
Trained hamsters.
Costumes.
And costumes.
Picture this.
The curtain's open.
The Mystery Box
is center stage.
Presenting Majestic Mel
and her lovely
assistant Ranger.
Why am I
the lovely assistant?
Because I'm not lovely
assistant material.
- But I am?
- Hey, guys.
I have to ask you s--
What are you guys wearing?
Our magic costumes.
These are just stand-ins
until we can get tuxedos.
Whoa. With tails?
Obviously.
We're professionals.
So, um, I wanted to talk
to you guys about Abigail.
I already told you
everything I know,
which is nothing.
I looked around
after everyone left,
and I found a drawing
on a desk.
Hey, that was there before
they assigned the seat.
I would never draw
something like that.
Not your desk. On hers.
At least I think it's hers.
It's in the same
green marker,
but I asked everyone,
and no one's seen her.
Maybe she's a mentalist.
They use psychology
to hide things
that are right
in front of your eyes.
A mentalist?
Obviously she's a ninja.
Do you know how many ninjas
are in this room right now?
- None.
- Zero.
Or a dozen.
But you can't tell.
You know why?
Because they're ninjas.
She signed your cast.
That's your best clue so far.
I need to consult
an expert.
This is it:
the full collection.
Gee, Stanley, is there
anything you haven't broken?
Hey, you try spending
five years with bad luck.
You're going to visit
a few hospitals.
These are my souvenirs.
Let's see what we have.
Oh. Here's one.
When was this?
Right leg.
Petting zoo.
Two years ago.
Ducks are not your friends.
She's been here
for two years.
Four. Look.
Recliner accident.
That was rough.
Four years, and no one
remembers her.
How am I going
to find this girl?
We set a trap.
We know she signs casts,
so we just break
your other arm,
and she'll come to us.
I think maybe
I'll just keep looking.
Thanks, though.
Your loss.
Oh. Heh heh.
Abigail.
Hello?
Anyone here?
All right,
Abigail the artist
what else have you created?
Hello, Abigail.
Hi.
When--
When did you get in here?
I've been here
the whole time.
But I-- I didn't see you.
Are you a ghost?
No. I'm a girl.
Just as scary.
Oh, you--
you signed my cast.
Everyone
signed your cast.
But I didn't
see you sign it.
Also, I've been
asking around,
and no one else
remembers you from class.
Just because
they don't remember
doesn't mean
they didn't see me.
You have Mr. Henwick
for history, right?
What color
were his pants today?
I-- I'm not sure.
But he was wearing
pants, right?
I hope.
You saw them, but you
didn't see them.
You weren't
paying attention.
I-- I can see you now,
though.
Now you're
paying attention.
You've been hiding
in the back of the class?
What about homework,
book reports,
the science fair?
I did the one
on pollination.
The giant bee.
B plus, actually.
So now that you've found me,
what do you want?
I didn't think
that far ahead.
Great.
Well, this has been
a thrilling encounter.
Uh, I'm going to go.
Wait.
I really like your art.
Go on.
I call this the fast-slow.
How about
you save those moves
for when you're
inside the box?
I'm not
going in the box.
You're going
in the box.
Ranger, you want
to be in the box.
That's the magic part.
The one outside
just points at it.
You know what? Forget it.
I'm in the box.
You stay out and point.
No, no. No, no.
You said I get
to be in the box.
I'm in the box.
Let's just
stick with something
we can both agree with:
the music.
Oh. I've got that
all figured out.
Are you just going to sit
there and watch me?
Sorry.
You're so talented.
I draw what I see.
Here. Take some paper.
Give it a try.
I doubt I'm much good.
It's art.
It doesn't matter
if you're good or not.
Really?
No. It matters,
totally matters.
The last thing the world
needs is more bad art.
Gortimer, kidding.
You know, humor?
[chuckle]
I find you very confusing.
I prefer inscrutable.
Come on, draw something.
Express yourself.
Uh, I'm pretty good
at robots.
Great. As long as they
have death rays.
A robot without a death ray
is like a space marine
without--
Graviton boots.
You're such a nerd.
Hey, you brought it up.
Don't change the subject.
Ranger: Gortimer!
Gortimer, you have
to bring a tie.
It's super-important.
Whoa, whoa. Slow down.
First things first.
I want you to meet--
Mel: Meet who?
Meet--
up with me tomorrow.
The talent show's
tomorrow.
Hey, which is better,
awesome guitar solo
like whah, whah, wow!
Or a big, brassy fanfare
like bwamp-bwa-bwa,
bwa-bwa-bwa,
bwa-bwa-bwa!
Um, do both?
Come on.
You're no help at all.
Hey, first one back
to the observatory picks.
Whoa. Look, a dinosaur.
Hey! No fair.
Are they always like that?
What happened?
Where'd you go?
Uh, just not
that into crowds.
I wouldn't call them
a crowd.
This is why I like drawing.
The picture speaks for itself
and doesn't have to shout
to be heard.
I think you've got the wrong
impression of Mel and Ranger.
I'm sure you'd like them
if you got to know them.
Uh, I'd better go.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Yeah.
And I'll see you.
[door closes]
Chopstick or plastic ruler?
Chopstick is perfect.
You got it.
Oh, it's so good.
[chuckling]
Oh, it's the worst.
So did you, uh,
find this Abigail girl?
I did.
You did? What's she like?
She's shy.
I mean really shy,
like doesn't
ever say anything
and no one
ever notices shy.
You ever know anyone
like that?
Well,
that's pretty extreme,
but I do remember
this one girl.
She was really shy, too.
She felt teeny-tiny,
and the rest of the world
just seemed so big.
She was only really happy
when she was alone
because when she danced,
she forgot everything
and everyone else.
But then an amazing
thing happened.
People finally took notice.
At first
she was embarrassed,
but then she realized
she wasn't so tiny after all.
And from then on,
things got a lot better.
Whatever
happened to that girl?
Mayan Mystery Box, huh?
Good luck.
Hey, guys,
ready for the big show?
We're going to knock
their socks off.
Without taking off
their shoes.
You want to know why?
Magic.
I can't wait.
Just, uh, be careful
of the secret latch.
It sticks.
Oh. Trust me. We know.
Secret latch?
I have no idea.
You made it.
Don't tell me they roped you
back into the magic show.
Oh, I can't even
button my own shirt,
let alone do a card trick.
I've got something else
planned.
Trust me,
you're going to love it.
Let me guess:
juggling bagpipes?
On a pogo stick.
A flaming pogo stick?
Which is
why I need you here
to work the fire
extinguisher.
I'm honored that you put
your life in my hands.
♪♪
Thank you!
[applause, cheers, whistling]
Let's hear it for Stanley
"Boom-boom" Zielinsky.
He made me say that.
Now, before we get to Erik K
and his amazing cat Buckles,
we have a last-minute
addition:
Gortimer Gibbon with
a surprise presentation.
Gortimer?
Hi.
We've seen a lot of talented
people here tonight.
But there are other
people out there
just as talented
who go unnoticed
because no one sees them.
I met someone like that
just the other day.
Well, "met" is wrong.
I guess I just
noticed her
for the first time.
She's an artist,
and, though you've all
probably seen her work,
you've never seen her.
Well, today
that's going to change.
This is Abigail Arroyo.
She's backstage right now,
but I think,
with a little help,
we can all get her out here.
[applause]
What do you say, Abigail?
Abigail?
Abigail, wait.
And next up is Erik K.
Abigail!
Abigail!
Abigail, I was
just trying to help!
What made you think
I wanted that?
I can't see you.
I'm not sure you
ever really saw me.
I thought if people
knew about you,
it would-- it would
make things better.
Better than what?
I'm not like you.
I don't like being
the center of attention.
But don't you want
everyone to see your art?
They do see my art.
I'm not hiding it.
I put it all over the place.
But there's a difference
between what I do
and who I am.
I get it. You're shy.
No, I'm not shy.
Yes, I sit
at the back of class.
Yes, I'm quiet.
Most people don't
even know I'm there
because that's what I'm
comfortable with.
It doesn't mean I'm broken.
It's just who I am.
Why can't you be
okay with that?
I am.
It's just I've ever known
anyone like that before
like you.
I'm sorry.
Are you okay?
It's just
that's, like, my fifth
favorite photo.
You couldn't have
blown up a better one?
I was in a bit of a rush.
Maybe you can help me
pick out a different one
for next time.
Kidding.
You know, humor.
So do you want to come
watch the rest of the show?
I don't know.
Will I be humiliated?
Not at all.
But I can't say the same
for Mel and Ranger.
Ranger:
Ladies and gentlemen,
presenting
the greatest magic act
in the history
of Normal Street.
The Amazing Melanger!
[applause, cheering]
[clatter]
Oh, no.
I can't watch.
Ooh.
This is bad.
Ranger: Gortimer,
are you out there?
Mel: The magic
isn't working yet.
I got to do something.
Hi, I'm their
lovely assistant.
Uh
it's a little, uh
Whoa.
Stanley!
[applause]
Told you I knew magic.
Too bad you didn't
have an encore.
That's the problem with
only having one trick.
I still think
we should have done
something that no one's
ever seen before,
like pulling a hat
out of a rabbit.
Do you own a rabbit?
Technically, no.
Hi. You must be Abigail.
Gortimer talks about you
all the time.
Um
I really liked your act.
Well, then just wait
until next year.
We've got some pretty
epic stuff planned.
Some people are drawn
to the spotlight.
Others run from it.
I guess the trick
is figuring out
how much light you really
need to make yourself happy.